Buy DRM-free ebooks online – 20 websites to actually own your library

Are you tired of renting digital books from tech giants who change the rules whenever they like? Building a personal library takes some effort, but owning your files feels right. Here are the best websites where you can buy modern DRM-free ebooks and keep them on your drive.

Have you looked at your digital bookshelf lately? Giant tech corporations keep changing their terms of service, and somehow it is never in your favour. One day you buy a book, and the next day they quietly adjust how and where you are allowed to read it. Why do we tolerate this?

Most proprietary reading apps have not seen a genuine improvement in years. Development is frozen, yet the surveillance continues. These apps track every page you turn and every pause you make. Does a corporate server really need to know what time you read in bed?

Because of this, more and more readers simply decide to quit their current ebook platforms. They are tired of digital locks, more and more unfavourable corporate rules, and sudden price changes.

Building your own independent ebook library from scratch sounds overwhelming at first. It takes a bit of effort. But once your library is set up, you finally own your files. They belong to you just like the physical paperbacks sitting on the shelf in your reading nook. Isn’t that how buying things should work?

Now, your immediate question might be how to extract old purchases from your current big-tech store to your computer disc. That is a valid headache, but this post is not about that technical struggle.

This guide is about starting fresh. It is about building a clean, personal library without corporate middlemen looking over your shoulder.

If you want to start without spending anything, you can begin with classic literature. Have a look at this guide to free public domain books to find well-formatted classic editions that are completely free to keep.

What if you want current bestsellers, modern non-fiction, or new indie titles? That is where independent storefronts come into play. Below is a list of digital bookshops and publishers where you can buy contemporary titles without digital restrictions.

DRM-free ebooks guide – table of contents

Benefits of DRM-free ebooks

Most people buy digital books and think they own them. Do you actually own a file if a company can delete it from your account tomorrow?

Here is what you actually get when you buy books without digital locks.

▸ True ownership of the file – When you pay for a locked book, you only rent a licence. A licence that can vanish if a retailer changes its terms or goes out of business. With a DRM-free file, the book sits on your hard drive. It belongs to you, not to a corporation’s cloud server. Isn’t that the whole point of buying something?

▸ Freedom to pick any reading device – Why let one tech brand dictate what screen you look at? With open files, you are not trapped inside a single walled garden. You can buy a Kobo today, use an Android tablet next year, and switch to a small indie ereader later. You simply copy the file across and keep reading.

▸ Simple and reliable backups – Can you back up your locked digital library to an external hard drive? Not easily. With DRM-free formats, backing up a library is as simple as copying a folder to a USB stick or home server. If your device breaks, your books are still safe in your drawer.

▸ Easy format conversion – Sometimes you need to change a layout or convert a book to another format. With tools like Calibre, managing open files takes two clicks. You can adjust margins, fix bad typography, or switch between EPUB and PDF whenever you want. Why should a reader tolerate clumsy default formatting?

▸ Sharing with your family – When you finish a good paper book, you lend it to a friend or leave it on the kitchen table. Why should digital books be different? A DRM-free book lets you share a file with your partner or children without handing over your personal store login and credit card details.

▸ Complete reading privacy – Locked reader apps track how fast you read, which pages you skip, and where you stop. They send this telemetry back to corporate servers. An open EPUB on a simple offline reader does not spy on your habits. Your reading remains your private business, as it should be.

Recommended ebook formats

Buying DRM-free ebooks is fine, but which file format should you actually keep on your drive? Most platforms give you choices, yet people still download the wrong thing and wonder why reading feels clumsy.

Let us look at the two formats that actually make sense.

Understanding hard DRM versus social DRM

Before we move on to the list, let’s explain the difference between hard DRM and social DRM. Social DRM can be added to your personal ebook library.

Most big shops give you files locked with hard DRM. This means the file is encrypted. It uses systems like Adobe DRM, Amazon’s proprietary KFX lock, or Apple’s FairPlay. These systems tie your book to a specific company account or a certified piece of software.

Then there is social DRM, often called digital watermarking. This is a very different approach, widely used in Europe. Instead of encrypting the file, the publisher embeds invisible or visible marks inside the book. It might be your order number, purchase date, or your name on the last page.

Does social DRM stop you from opening the book? Not at all. The file itself is a standard, open EPUB or PDF. There is no software lock to fight with. You do not need to log into an authorization server just to read a chapter in the evening.

So, how is social DRM working? If you upload an ebook to a public torrent site or share it around the web, the publisher can trace the leak directly back to your account.

Because social DRM leaves the file open, you can read it on any ereader, phone, or computer you like. You can safely add it to your permanent personal library.

Feature	Hard DRM	Social DRM
File state	Encrypted and locked with software keys	Open, standard EPUB or PDF file
Main examples	Adobe DRM, Amazon KFX, Apple FairPlay	Embedded order ID, buyer name, or timestamp
Downloading files	Often downloads an authorization token (e.g. ACSM) first	Direct download of the full book file immediately
Moving across systems	Heavily restricted; requires certified apps and accounts	Easy; copy the file via USB, cloud, or local drive
Device compatibility	Limited to supported apps and licensed ereaders	Universal; works on any device that reads standard formats
Backups and storage	Difficult; locked files depend on external servers	Simple; store on your own hard drives or USB sticks
Format conversion	Blocked unless you strip the encryption	Straightforward with free tools like Calibre
Account dependence	High; lose account access and you lose your library	None; reading does not require server checks

English-language websites with DRM-free ebooks

Smashwords

Smashwords launched in 2008 as an author-focused platform for self-published titles. It lets independent writers publish work and set their own prices. Over time, it became a major digital hub for indie books.

The shop rejects digital locks. It has run on a DRM-free policy from day one, refusing to treat legitimate readers like suspects. Why should buying a book mean accepting artificial software limits?

The catalogue is vast, representing hundreds of thousands of independent authors. It covers romance, erotica, poetry, and speculative fiction. Built-in filters allow users to browse standard titles or include explicit erotica.

Every purchase comes without copy protection. Users get multi-format access with EPUB, MOBI, or PDF files. You can back up your files locally and move them freely across your devices.

• Number of ebooks: Almost one million of independent titles.
• Main genres: Mainstream fiction, romance, erotica, poetry, science fiction, and non-fiction.
• Main languages: English.
• DRM status: 100% DRM-free (available in EPUB, MOBI, and PDF).

eBooks.com

eBooks.com started in 1999 as an independent portal for digital books. Based in Australia, it uses a direct-to-consumer model rather than the tax schemes favoured by giant tech platforms. It serves individual readers and libraries worldwide.

The platform has a stable system for reading across various devices. You can read directly in a web browser using the Online Reader, or download files to read offline. It supports its own app on iOS and Android alongside third-party ereaders.

The shop stocks mainstream commercial releases, academic texts, and professional literature. Prices adjust dynamically to regional currencies across the UK, Europe, Canada, and the US.

Copy protection depends on the publisher. Some titles come DRM-free, while others use Adobe DRM or LCP protection. For locked files, the site recommends using Thorium Reader or Adobe Digital Editions.

DRM-free ebooks are easy to find. Simply click on the DRM-Free Books tab at the top of the page. There are over 422,000 titles in this catalogue, out of over 3.2 million available in total.

• Number of ebooks: 3.2 million commercial, professional, and academic titles, 422,000 of which are DRM-free.
• Main genres: General fiction, non-fiction, academic textbooks, science, maths, and professional literature.
• Main languages: English (currency support includes GBP, EUR, USD, CAD, and AUD).
• DRM status: Publisher-dependent (varies from DRM-free to Adobe DRM and LCP).

Humble Bundle

Humble Bundle started with video games before expanding into book bundles. The platform groups titles into themed packages. Buyers can pay what they want above a baseline, splitting the money between publishers, the store, and charities.

The book section is well known for tech guides, sci-fi novels, and comics. In partnership with publishers like Open Road Media, Image Comics, and Wiley, it offers bundles that run for a few weeks at a time.

Since 2010, the platform has raised over 282 million dollars for charities. Readers can support non-profit groups while picking up digital reading material.

All ebooks sold in these bundles are DRM-free. Files arrive in EPUB, MOBI, and PDF formats. You can download them directly to your account and transfer them to any ereader.

• Number of ebooks: Rotating catalogue with dozens of titles per bundle.
• Main genres: Science fiction, fantasy, technical guides, programming, and graphic novels.
• Main languages: English (interface supports German, French, Spanish, Italian, and Chinese).
• DRM status: 100% DRM-free (delivered in EPUB, PDF, and MOBI).

Bookshop.org

Bookshop.org was founded in 2020 as an ethical e-commerce alternative to Amazon, designed specifically to help independent brick-and-mortar bookstores thrive. The platform returns over eighty percent of its profits to local shops.

In 2025, the platform expanded its physical book distribution by launching a dedicated ebook storefront. This digital platform ensures that independent booksellers receive one hundred percent of the profits from ebook sales they generate.

Ebooks can be read directly within any web browser or via Bookshop.org mobile reader apps for iOS and Android. The mobile app provides customizable settings, offline reading options, and has been continuously updated to ensure a smooth reading experience.

Copy-protection on the platform is publisher-dependent, meaning mainstream titles are secured with DRM, restricting them to the official app or web browser. However, titles from DRM-free publishers can be freely downloaded.

To find DRM-free ebooks on Bookshop.org, simply use the search bar to find the title you want to buy, and then select “DRM-free” from the “Format” drop-down button on the left.

• Number of ebooks: Over 1 million ebooks from all major publishers.
• Main genres: General fiction, romance, thrillers, mystery, non-fiction, biographies.
• Main languages: English (US and UK storefronts, with help center support for Spanish and Catalan).
• DRM status: Publisher-dependent (most mainstream titles are DRM-protected, while select publishers are DRM-free and downloadable.

Fanatical

Fanatical is a digital retailer that focuses on gaming but runs frequent ebook promotions. It packages specialized book collections at large discounts. Most bundles target software developers, gamers, and genre fiction readers.

The site focuses on technical manuals, programming references, and speculative fiction. These bulk packages give students and developers a cheaper way to build a digital library. The catalogue changes constantly as new bundles cycle through.

The storefront has a simple delivery system that ties purchases directly to your account. Digital deliveries are fast, practical, and straightforward.

Every ebook in their bundles comes without digital rights management. Files are delivered in standard EPUB and PDF formats, making them easy to back up and read on standard devices.

• Number of ebooks: Rotating catalogue that varies per bundle promotion.
• Main genres: Software development, coding, web technologies, fiction, and gaming.
• Main languages: English.
• DRM status: 100% DRM-free (delivered in EPUB and PDF).

Baen Books

Baen Books is an American publisher specialising in science fiction and fantasy. It has built a loyal following around military sci-fi, space opera, and alternate history.

The publisher introduced the Baen Free Library to help readers discover new authors. It also sells electronic Advance Reader Copies, allowing fans to buy and read manuscripts months before the print release.

The site hosts Baen’s Bar, a long-running discussion forum where fans and authors interact directly. Anyone can read the posts, but posting requires a verified purchase or a small contribution to support site costs.

Baen has opposed digital locks from early on. All ebooks sold through its shop are DRM-free. Readers can download EPUB files directly or use a tool to email them straight to their ereader.

• Number of ebooks: Hundreds of science fiction and fantasy titles.
• Main genres: Space opera, military science fiction, alternate history, and fantasy.
• Main languages: English.
• DRM status: 100% DRM-free (available in EPUB format with email-to-device delivery).

Leanpub

Leanpub uses a lean publishing model for technical writers. Authors can release books early – even with just a few finished chapters – and update them using reader feedback. It is a popular tool for software engineers and educators.

The platform automates the publishing process. Writers can write using Markdown in a browser editor, or sync files through GitHub or Dropbox. The system converts source files into PDF, EPUB, and MOBI with a single click.

The platform pays an 80 per cent royalty rate to authors. By cutting out traditional publishing overheads, it has paid out millions of dollars to independent writers.

All ebooks on the platform are sold DRM-free. Readers receive lifetime updates to their purchases, which can be downloaded in EPUB, MOBI, or PDF format.

• Number of ebooks: Thousands of self-published technical and educational books.
• Main genres: Computer science, programming, software engineering, AI, and business.
• Main languages: English (with growing support for other languages).
• DRM status: 100% DRM-free (includes free lifetime updates in EPUB, MOBI, and PDF).

StoryBundle

StoryBundle sells curated book bundles using a pay-what-you-want model. Each package focuses on a specific genre, such as fantasy, cosy crime, or indie gaming, and is curated by authors or editors.

Buyers choose how much to pay and how the money is split. An interactive slider allows you to divide funds between authors, the platform, and chosen non-profit organisations.

Bundles use pricing tiers. Paying above the bonus price unlocks the entire collection, often offering dozens of titles at a low cost.

Every ebook on the platform is completely DRM-free. Downloads come in standard EPUB and PDF formats, with built-in sync options for Kindle devices.

• Number of ebooks: Rotating collections with dozens of indie titles per bundle.
• Main genres: Fantasy, science fiction, cosy mysteries, and gaming guides.
• Main languages: English.
• DRM status: 100% DRM-free (EPUB and PDF files with Kindle sync).

No Starch Press

No Starch Press is an independent publisher based in San Francisco. It focuses on technical manuals, programming guides, and books for tech enthusiasts.

The catalogue avoids vague jargon and focuses on technical detail. It includes guides on Python, Rust, Linux, cybersecurity, and hardware hacking, alongside books on LEGO and maths.

Its Early Access programme lets customers buy upcoming titles and read drafts chapter by chapter. If you buy a physical book directly on No Starch Press, you also get a digital edition included at no extra cost.

All digital files bought directly from their website are DRM-free. Ebooks are delivered as standard EPUB and PDF files, making them easy to read offline or store on your personal backup drives.

• Number of ebooks: Hundreds of technical and programming titles.
• Main genres: Programming, cybersecurity, Linux, computer science, maths, and LEGO.
• Main languages: English.
• DRM status: 100% DRM-free (delivered in EPUB and PDF).

Verso Books

Verso Books is an independent publisher based in London and New York with over 50 years of history. It publishes critical theory, left-wing politics, and progressive social sciences.

The direct-to-consumer website bundles formats together. Buying a physical book directly from the site includes a free digital ebook copy. This lets readers build a digital library alongside physical editions.

The publisher also runs the Verso Book Club. Subscribers receive monthly selections of new releases in print and digital formats, alongside store discounts.

All ebooks downloaded from the shop are DRM-free. The publisher avoids restrictive digital locks, supplying standard EPUB and PDF files that work on any reading device.

• Number of ebooks: Hundreds of political, academic, and philosophical titles.
• Main genres: Politics, critical theory, philosophy, sociology, and history.
• Main languages: English (regional store support for the UK, Europe, the US, and Canada).
• DRM status: 100% DRM-free (delivered in EPUB and PDF).

Seven Stories Press

Seven Stories Press is an independent publisher in New York focused on political literature, translated fiction, poetry, and social commentary.

Its catalogue features political writers, independent poets, and Nobel laureates. It also manages imprints like Triangle Square for young readers and Editorial Siete Cuentos for Spanish translations.

Purchases made directly on the publisher’s website include a complimentary digital ebook copy. This direct sales approach bypasses retail intermediaries and supports independent publishing.

All ebooks are sold without digital rights management. Files are delivered in standard EPUB and PDF formats, allowing readers to back up their books and read them on standard devices.

• Number of ebooks: Hundreds of political, translated, and literary titles.
• Main genres: Political non-fiction, poetry, social criticism, translations, and YA literature.
• Main languages: English (with translations and a Spanish imprint).
• DRM status: 100% DRM-free (EPUB and PDF files bundled with purchases).

Weightless Books

Weightless Books is an independent digital bookshop focused on indie presses and speculative fiction. It features a lightweight interface and a clear focus on digital magazines.

The shop is known for handling subscriptions and single issues of speculative fiction magazines, including Clarkesworld, Lightspeed, and Uncanny. New issues are delivered automatically to your account bookshelf.

The catalogue includes indie presses like Tachyon, PM Press, and Apex Publications. Note that due to European VAT regulations, the storefront is closed to EU buyers, except for Ireland.

The entire shop uses a DRM-free policy. All files are provided in open EPUB and PDF formats, with an option to email purchases directly to your Kindle or other reading devices.

• Number of ebooks: Thousands of indie titles, magazines, and subscriptions.
• Main genres: Science fiction, fantasy, horror, queer speculative fiction, and poetry.
• Main languages: English (closed to EU buyers due to VAT rules, except Ireland).
• DRM status: 100% DRM-free (delivered in EPUB and PDF with direct email delivery).

Non-English and multilingual websites with DRM-free ebooks

Thalia

Thalia is a major book retailer in the German-speaking market, running over 500 physical shops across Germany and Austria. Its online shop sells physical books, ebooks, games, and electronics.

The company is a founder of the tolino alliance, an ereading ecosystem created to compete with Amazon. The tolino cloud syncs purchases across ereaders, apps, and browsers.

The digital catalogue features millions of German and international titles. Under German book price maintenance laws (Buchpreisbindung), ebook prices are regulated and kept uniform across shops.

Copy protection depends on the publisher. Some indie titles are DRM-free or watermarked, while major publishers require Adobe DRM, requiring an authorized tolino or Adobe device.

• Number of ebooks: Millions of digital publications in German and other languages.
• Main genres: Bestsellers, thrillers, general fiction, non-fiction, and academic books.
• Main languages: German (with international selections).
• DRM status: Publisher-dependent (ranges from watermarks and DRM-free to Adobe DRM).

Beam eBooks

Beam e-Books is an independent German digital shop with a focus on science fiction, fantasy, and pulp fiction (Heftromane). It also provides digital subscriptions for serialised releases.

The shop is known for stocking the complete catalogue and digital subscriptions of Perry Rhodan, the long-running German science fiction series. It also carries popular adventure and western serials like Lassiter.

The platform sells discounted eBook Pakete (bundles) covering complete series. It also runs a community blog that reviews speculative fiction releases.

The shop operates strictly without hard copy protection. Native files avoid Adobe DRM entirely, using DRM-free EPUB and PDF formats or soft digital watermarks.

• Number of ebooks: Thousands of science fiction, fantasy, and pulp titles.
• Main genres: Science fiction, space opera, fantasy, horror, westerns, and romance.
• Main languages: German.
• DRM status: Strictly DRM-free or watermarked (delivered in EPUB and PDF).

Bücher.de

Bücher.de is a German book retailer established in 1999. It carries a catalogue of over 15 million items, covering books, ebooks, music, and entertainment media.

A clear advantage for local shoppers is free shipping on book orders within Germany, with no minimum spend. It also supports Click & Collect services for local pick-ups.

The shop is part of the tolino alliance, offering synchronization across tolino devices and apps. The website also features editorial reviews and a used book marketplace.

Copy-protection settings depend on the publisher. Ebooks come in EPUB and PDF formats, with security ranging from digital watermarks to Adobe DRM.

• Number of ebooks: Millions of ebooks within a 15-million-item media catalogue.
• Main genres: Fiction, crime thrillers, non-fiction, children’s literature, and media.
• Main languages: German (with foreign-language titles).
• DRM status: Publisher-dependent (DRM-free, watermarked, or Adobe DRM).

Null Papier Verlag

Null Papier Verlag is an independent German publishing house specialising in digitising classic literature and complete collections.

The catalogue offers revised, cleanly formatted classic works by authors like Jules Verne, Arthur Conan Doyle, and Fyodor Dostoevsky. Many titles include historical illustrations and updated formatting.

The web shop supports modern payment options like PayPal and Apple Pay. A regular newsletter offers free classic ebooks, and the site blog documents the digital archiving work.

All publications are sold completely DRM-free. Books are provided in EPUB, MOBI, and PDF formats, making them easy to read on any device or load onto a Kindle.

• Number of ebooks: Hundreds of restored literary classics and author collections.
• Main genres: Classic literature, adventure, crime classics, and fairy tales.
• Main languages: German.
• DRM status: 100% DRM-free (available in EPUB, PDF, and MOBI).

XinXii

XinXii is a European self-publishing and distribution platform based in Germany. It gives indie authors and small presses a way to upload and distribute titles across Europe and beyond.

The service connects independent authors to major retail channels, including Amazon, Apple Books, Google Books, and regional European web shops.

Authors keep control over pricing and rights, earning a 70 per cent commission on sales through the native shop. The platform handles conversions across multiple file formats.

Buying ebooks directly through the native XinXii web shop provides DRM-free downloads. Titles distributed to external retail partners remain subject to those third-party platforms’ DRM policies.

To access a catalogue of DRM-free titles on XinXii, hover over “E-BOOKS” in the top navigation bar and select a category.

• Number of ebooks: Thousands of indie ebooks and audiobooks.
• Main genres: Fiction, business, biographies, travel, and guidebooks.
• Main languages: Multilingual (German, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, etc.).
• DRM status: DRM-free for direct web shop purchases (retailer-dependent via third parties).

Le Bélial’

Le Bélial’ is an independent French publisher specializing in speculative fiction, fantasy, and sci-fi. It has published curated genre literature for over 30 years.

The press publishes Bifrost, a quarterly speculative fiction magazine featuring short stories, essays, and critical reviews. It also produces acclaimed book collections such as the Une Heure-Lumière series.

Its direct shop features French authors alongside translations of international writers like Jack Vance and Alastair Reynolds.

The shop uses a platform-wide DRM-free policy. It includes a dedicated Sans DRM section, with files delivered in standard EPUB and PDF formats.

• Number of ebooks: Hundreds of French speculative fiction and fantasy titles.
• Main genres: Science fiction, fantasy, horror, speculative magazines, and audiobooks.
• Main languages: French.
• DRM status: 100% DRM-free (supplied in EPUB and PDF).

7Switch

7Switch is a French digital bookstore and affiliate platform. It allows bloggers, readers, and creators to set up their own digital book storefronts using affiliate links.

Users earn commissions by recommending titles, turning personal book recommendations into a decentralised sales network.

The shop stocks general fiction, bestsellers, and independent releases across various publishers. The multilingual interface supports French, English, German, Spanish, and Portuguese.

Copy-protection settings depend entirely on the publisher. Independent presses often provide DRM-free or watermarked files, while mainstream publishers use Adobe DRM locks.

• Number of ebooks: Thousands of general fiction and indie titles.
• Main genres: General fiction, bestsellers, thrillers, literature, and non-fiction.
• Main languages: French, English, German, Spanish, and Portuguese.
• DRM status: Publisher-dependent (ranges from DRM-free to Adobe DRM).

Ediciones Babylon

Ediciones Babylon is an independent Spanish publisher based in Ontinyent, Valencia. It focuses on Spanish manga, graphic novels, European comics, and illustrated works.

Its catalogue showcases local Spanish artists and comic creators, covering shonen, seinen, and shojo manga. The press is also working on a digital subscription club called Babylon Club de lectura.

The direct web shop sells print volumes, art books, and digital novels alongside merchandise. The site handles international orders and maintains an active reader community.

Digital comic and novel purchases use copy protection to protect artwork copyrights. Files are formatted for reading through supported ereader apps rather than open downloads.

• Number of ebooks: Dozens of Spanish manga, comic, and graphic novel titles.
• Main genres: Spanish manga, shonen, seinen, shojo, graphic novels, and art books.
• Main languages: Spanish.
• DRM status: DRM-protected (uses copy protection on digital releases).